Notes from a short Friday practice (w/video)

Because the Texans have worked as hard as coach Gary Kubiak has asked them to, he took it easy on them Friday morning when they had a walk-through drill and continued to work on special teams.

Kubiak wanted to see how a couple of injured players were holding up before they make decisions on their playing time.

“The good thing is it looks like everybody’s back out on the field,” Kubiak said, meaning who were questionable earlier in the week. “There were two question marks as far as the game goes, and that was (defensive tackle Tim) Bulman and (receiver) Bethel Johnson. According to this morning’s practice, they’ll play.”

The most prominent player who won’t play is left guard Chester Pitts, who is nursing a sprained lower back. Steve McKinney has moved from center and will start in his place.

— JOHN McCLAIN

Bring on the Bears

Coaches and players on every team are excited about the preseason schedule beginning because they’re tired of hitting each other. Coaches and personnel people want to watch game tape of other teams so they can watch players they might eventually have a shot at.

“Everybody feels good right now, but nobody’s played yet,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’ll find out how ready we are against the Bears.

“Preseason’s a time for your team to come together. It’s a time to find some young players, but your veteran players have to also be doing their jobs and getting ready for the regular season. There’s a lot you’re trying to get accomplished, but the biggest two we’re looking for from this team is composure and being more physical. That’s where we’re going to start.”

— JOHN McCLAIN

Smith always looking for players

When general manager Rick Smith was working his way up through the Broncos’ personnel department, his strength was finding players who fit the offensive and defensive schemes.

Most of that group contributed to the four-win improvement over the 2005 season.

Even though the Texans have more talent now than they did at this time last season, Smith will still be bringing in players from other teams.

“I’ll always look for guys I think can help our club,” he said. “That’s an ongoing process.”

— JOHN McCLAIN

Ready for lights to come on

Receiver Andre Johnson is coming off the best season of his career with a league-best 103 catches that helped him play in his second Pro Bowl. He signed a contract extension in the offseason that guaranteed him $15 million. Now he’s ready for the new season.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Johnson said about starting the preseason schedule. “I think all the guys are. We’ve been going against each other for about two weeks now. It’s time to go against somebody different. We have a good, physical team, and we get to see where we’re at.”

Johnson hopes the fans who attend the Chicago game at Reliant Stadium are as excited about the team as he is.

“It’s been a little while since we’ve played in front of our fans,” he said. “It’s great to be back in Reliant Stadium, playing in front of our great fans.”